THE ORCHID REVIEW. 47 



similar quantity of chopped sphagnum, and a little silver sand, after which 

 the materials should be thoroughly mixed together. If properly prepared, 

 it should, when handled, be fairly moist to the touch. In potting, select a 

 pot of suitable size, place a few crocks, or, if preferred, bracken root, in the 

 bottom ; over this a layer of moss, then insert your plant, carefully keeping 

 its base on a level with the rim, proceeding to work the compost among the 

 roots, pressing moderately firm, until within half an inch from the top, this 

 remaining space being filled up with finely chopped moss. The latter gives 

 the plant a neat appearance, besides preventing excessive evaporation. A 

 light watering should be given on removing the plants to their growing 

 quarters. All plants in this compost should be exposed to stronger light 

 for growth is apt to become sappy if shaded too heavily. Light surface 

 waterings with a fine rose, and syringing amongst the pots, and overhead, 

 in summer, will suffice to keep the material in good condition. 



Dendrobiums. — Many of the deciduous species and hybrids have their 

 flower buds well advanced, and may now be placed in a little more heat. 

 They should receive more warmth and moisture, as soon as the flower buds 

 begin to separate from each other. As these pass out of flower, growth will 

 be prominent, and any that require repotting may at once be done, using 

 small receptacles where this can be done, for Dendrobiums dislike any 

 excess of material about their roots. Plenty of crocks should be used for 

 drainage, for a large quantity of water is required during the growing season. 

 The compost should consist of one part good fibrous peat, and two parts of 

 chopped sphagnum moss, with a quantity of finely broken crocks, or coarse 

 sand added. The plants should be slightly elevated above the rim, and 

 secured to neat sticks until the roots get a good hold of the compost. Apply 

 tepid rain water, and during fine weather the plants will greatly benefit by 

 a slight syringing overhead once or twice a day. 



Odontoglossums.— Probably some of these had to be left over from the 

 autumn potting, and the present is a suitable time for them to be done, 

 and will afford a favourable opportunity to those who have not yet given 

 Odontoglossums a trial in leaf-soil. The same remark applies to Masde- 

 vallias, for these require a liberal treatment at all seasons, owing to their 

 being more or less in active growth. I consider that they always grow more 

 satisfactorily when restricted to small receptacles, and certainly present a 

 better appearance. Pots are undoubtedly the best for the strong growing 

 kinds, whilst the dwarfer species and varieties may be given pans or baskets. 

 The temperature should not fall below 50 , and the plants should never be 

 allowed to become dry for any length of time. Those of the Chimaera 

 section have just now so many young leaves, that it becomes necessary to 

 examine these closely for red spider, for if once this pest be allowed to 

 become established the plants will soon be disfigured. They should be 



